Building mainstays, lessons from yesterday

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Great news that Mikael Lustig and Emilio Izaguirre have extended their contracts until 2017.  Footballers’ careers flow on a few distinct tracks.  Some are too hot for their clubs to retain, Victor Wanyama, who declined a contract renewal with almost 3 years of his initial deal remaining, fell into this category.  Some, like Georgios Samaras, will represent diminishing value to their clubs, and attract only diminishing contracts.

I could make an argument that the players in the third category, who are highly valuable to their club, but are not so valuable that they are impossible to retain, are more important than the latter.

It’s important for Celtic to have outstanding achievers (especially up front) but clubs find it difficult to remain on-strategy if they have significant churn each season.  Transfer income is great, and often needed, but ideally you would look at your squad around this time of the year and want to change no more than 3 players over the summer.

I reckon Celtic should be able to hold onto Lustig, Izaguirre, Matthews, Ambrose, Brown, Commons, Mulgrew, Stokes and Forrest until the club want to move them on.  These players are the mainstay of our squad, hopefully Johansen will prove to be too.  Forster and van Dijk fall into the same category as Wanyama and Hooper – they will have high paying options in England.

Forster and van Dijk will help get us into and compete in the Champions League, but two or three gems are useless if they are surrounded by players less polished bling.

The last 24 hours has been a salutary lesson on what will continue to happen until Celtic appoint a manager.  The Daily Mail got the ball rolling when someone told them Roy Keane was leaving Dublin to speak to Celtic.  This was good information, in as much as it was true, Celtic did meet Roy Keane, but the ‘paper put inappropriate weight upon it.

Soon everyone and their dog was reporting the deal was done.  Which surprised Celtic.

Today’s news – there is no news.

‘News’ will continue to break and eventually one story will actually be the news we’re waiting for.  There is value (reputation and advertising) in rushing out with a story before it’s confirmed or others are doing the same, and little consequence (zero damage to reputation and you get to keep the ad money) in getting it wrong, so stay tuned for the next instalment.  Only this week, Pope Francis was talking about papal retirement, maybe he has another gig in mind.

London Calling

Let me know if you would like to attend the CQN Question and Answer evening at the Manor Club, Wimbledon, on 21 June, with a confirmed line-up of Lisbon Lion, John Hughes, and our own Brogan Rogan and Auldheid, celticquicknews@gmail.com

Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his tome, All the Best.

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1,164 Comments

  1. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Kit agreed.

     

     

    Everyone should move on.

     

     

    My Psychiatric nurse training helps me to deal with it.

     

     

    HH

  2. Awe_Naw…

     

     

    then let’s move on but never forget Campbell Ogilvie and the five way agreement and the lies. Those trouble me most.

  3. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Kit

     

     

    For the record. He had been raging since he felt that everyone ignored his new baby announcement.

     

     

    Made up pish to allow him to adopt an aggressive stance

     

     

    I was one of those that didn’t believe it

     

     

    HH

  4. BMCUW –

     

     

    You had a go at me yesterday for complaining about the two full-backs signing new contracts. As I posted in reply, you were obviously confusing me with another, as I posted not a word on that subject, mainly because I didn’t and don’t have an issue with them signing new contracts.

  5. Sounds like there was madness on here last night, I’m tempted to scroll back and find out what it was all about but on second thoughts maybe not.

  6. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    I expect Lenny thought after delivering three in a row, it would merit a bit of trust and earn him a bit of respect for his opinions and proposals.

     

    I have no doubt he was advised when he took the job his conditions would improve with performance, the same as all the other team staff.

     

    Apparently the interpretation of ‘improved, was not resolved at the time of offer.

  7. The Battered Bunnet on

    Roy Keane’s signings for Sunderland:

     

     

    Stanislav Varga Celtic Signed 31 Aug, 2006

     

     

    Ross Wallace Celtic Signed 31 Aug, 2006

     

     

    Dwight Yorke Sydney FC £200,000 31 Aug, 2006

     

     

    Liam Miller Man Utd Free 31 Aug, 2006

     

     

    Graham Kavanagh Wigan £500,000 31 Aug, 2006

     

     

    David Connolly Wigan £1,400,000 31 Aug, 2006

     

     

    Marton Fulop Tottenham £500,000 02 Jan, 2007

     

     

    Carlos Edwards Luton £1,400,000 02 Jan, 2007

     

     

    Anthony Stokes Arsenal £2,000,000 08 Jan, 2007

     

     

    Stern John Coventry Signed 29 Jan, 2007

     

     

    Greg Halford Reading £2,500,000 11 Jun, 2007

     

     

    Russell Anderson Aberdeen £1,000,000 27 Jun, 2007

     

     

    Michael Chopra Cardiff £5,000,000 13 Jul, 2007

     

     

    Kieran Richardson Man Utd £5,500,000 16 Jul, 2007

     

     

    Dickson Etuhu Norwich £1,500,000 17 Jul, 2007

     

     

    Paul McShane West Brom £2,500,000 26 Jul, 2007

     

     

    Craig Gordon Hearts £9,000,000 08 Aug, 2007

     

     

    Andy Cole Portsmouth Free 24 Aug, 2007

     

     

    Kenwyne Jones Southampton £6,000,000 29 Aug, 2007

     

     

    Ian Harte Levante Free 29 Aug, 2007

     

     

    Danny Higginbotham Stoke £2,500,000 29 Aug, 2007

     

     

     

    And for Ipswich:

     

     

    Damien Delaney QPR Signed 02 Jul, 2009

     

     

    Troy Brown Fulham Free 02 Jul, 2009

     

     

    Lee Martin Man Utd Signed 06 Jul, 2009

     

     

    Shane O’Connor Liverpool Free 20 Jul, 2009

     

     

    Colin Healy Cork City Signed 24 Jul, 2009

     

     

    Tamas Priskin Watford Signed 07 Aug, 2009

     

     

    Arran Lee-Barrett Hartlepool Free 21 Aug, 2009

     

     

    Grant Leadbitter Sunderland £2,650,000 01 Sep, 2009

     

     

    Carlos Edwards Sunderland £1,350,000 01 Sep, 2009

     

     

    Conor Hourihane Sunderland Free 17 Jul, 2010

     

     

    Mark Kennedy Cardiff £75,000 25 Jul, 2010

     

     

    Marton Fulop Sunderland Signed 05 Aug, 2010

     

     

    Jason Scotland Wigan Signed 23 Aug, 2010

     

     

    ———–

     

     

    Kenwyne Jones was a good signing.

  8. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    GOLD COAST TOM

     

     

    Correct. Unfortunately I only saw your reply when I got up for nightshift.

     

     

    I prefer to make my apologies when the person is on the site rather than just post it-or not at all as some may choose.

     

     

    I confused your comment about our manager search with our re-signed full back pairing.

     

     

    For that,I apologise.

     

     

    Also for the censorious-and then some-tone of my post,which would have been over the top had I even been correct in the first place.

     

     

    I would change my blog name to MEA CULPA,but someone’s got that already,and I rather like this one.

     

     

    However,

     

     

    Sorry,mate.

  9. Never forget those who made the ‘honest mistakes’ are still in their jobs and their roadies – the media – are still in theirs too. We’ve won a few leagues and a few laughs along the way but somehow I get the gut feeling we’ve not won anything yet and we won’t unless we wisen up to ourselves and I wouldn’t bet today on who will have the last laugh.

  10. That’s it Doc, I’m going ooot to Cowie, to get the inside track :-)

     

    My auld Da told me Keane on Sunday

     

     

    Trews or Kilt for father of the bride ?

     

    That’s the real question

     

     

    Hail Hail

  11. Morning all. Glorious day once again. Could get well used to this. That’s 2 days in a row.

     

     

    Can’t get used to all this waiting for a new manager. I know it’s most important that we get the right man but tempus fugit, as they used to say. We can’t dilly dally too long.

  12. Tom how is your packing going ?

     

    Bet u are looking forward to the new season with a passion

     

    Games at normal times. Prematch drinks then de-briefing drinks after

     

    Ahh and European games at paradise

     

    Real currys, well burnt morning rolls

     

    Ahh bliss

  13. FAVOURITE UNCLE on

    mouldy67″ supporting the fearless Oscar Knox

     

     

     

    when do you start and are you coming through YORK. TEA COFFEE ROLLS BACON ??????? ps some …sturd stole ma bike a while ago but I will do my best with refreshments.get in touch via PAUL67

  14. tomtheleedstim on

    The Battered Bunnet @ 10.56

     

    That makes for grim reading. Too many people who he would know from his playing days and not enough wider scouting by the looks of it.

     

    Still, every new managerial appointment is a risk and perhaps he has learned from his mistakes.

     

    I’m more concerned whether we hear the name “Keano” ringing round the stadium. It does my head in.

  15. Battered Bunnet

     

     

    You obviously never seen K Jones play for Sunderland. Samaras on a bad day is ten times better.

  16. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Parkhead, sorry for not replying about Fr Michael sorting out two of the brethren. I could imagine him taking great pleasure in that.

     

     

    Sydney, are you a former member of the Glasgow Uni CSC? If you were, I hope you are keeping well.

  17. tommytwiststommyturns on

    Drove out to CP this morning after 10am to go to ticket office and change my seat. Decided that another winter up in the frozen wastes of 408 wasn’t for me!

     

    The queue was mahoosive, so I headed for home via the roll n skwerr shop. Might try later!

     

    Has the new manager/head coach been appointed?!!

     

     

    T4

  18. A aww naw… Does this mean Oweny Coyle still in the running. Intriguing to discover who the other “5 to 10 excellent candidates” are?

  19. SydneyTim –

     

     

    Packing all done. Case full of box set books and various bits and pieces. Will only have the clothes I am standing in as I have a large collection for the Salvos. Took about 200 books down there this morning. Will be spending my first few days shopping.

     

     

    Tracey following a month later as she is staying behind to deal with property rentals and other business.

     

     

    My nephew in Bellshill has a car dealership so I have a new second-hand car ready to collect on my arrival.

     

     

    My 2 sons have been decorating my apartment in Edinburgh.

     

     

    So all in all, I am well organized.

     

     

    And yes, looking forward to going back to Paradise on a regular basis, especially with my bhoys.

  20. Kitalba –

     

     

    Just saw your reply to SydneyTim earlier. Many thanks for your kind words. Won’t have time to get together for a beer, but maybe another time in Glasgow, or when I am back in Australia in January to wrap things up.

     

     

    Thanks again.

  21. Corkcelt. Don’t read back.

     

     

    Cowiebhoy. Kilt.

     

     

    Simples.

     

     

    NoAggroSaturdayCSC!

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  22. Think if it was left up to Lawell who got the manager’s gig we would get something along the lines of David Brent in charge with Alan Partridge as his assistant.

     

     

    They would still win SPFL though.

     

     

    If Keano comes to the party then Desmond will have whispered something in his ear about a possible flitting soon……..hmmmmmmm

     

     

    Bring it on.

  23. tomtheleedstim on

    From Fatboab on KDS;

     

    “Keane with a head coach is favoured option. Heard we are in advance talks with one of three excellent coaches ( two others on list), and that both he and Keane are buying the set-up. Also , and this is interesting, DD was against Keane at first, but has been very impressed in talks.”

  24. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Oscar Knox, MacKenzie Furniss and anyone else who fights Neuroblastoma on

    Morning All

     

     

    Tea an square slice rolls done, so probably heading out to the delights of the Drymen Show for overpriced beer and hotdogs later.

     

     

    I don’t think Keano is the man but if Dermot says he is then it will be him.

     

     

    Who knows what will be will be.

     

     

    Hebcelt — I have lost your phone number but the black pudding etc arrived safely in London.

     

     

    EDB — I need your number too as I have been working on that wee project that you gave me to look into.

     

     

    Beyonce, Kate Moss, Agnetha Faltskog, Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, Halle Berry — if you all want to give me a call too that would be grand!

     

     

    Malorbhoy— If you call I have gone out!

  25. !!Bada Bing!! –

     

     

    That’s 3 times you’ve posted that.

     

     

    Are you expecting some sort of reply?

     

     

    It doesn’t look to me like a question. Definitely a statement.

     

     

    Ok, well done. Will that do?

     

     

    :-)

  26. bournesouprecipe on

    tommytwiststommyturns

     

     

    I relocated last year and lasted two games and re relocated back to the Ghods where I was. This year I’m thinking about re re re locating again, and it’s been mobbed like that since the relocation doors where opened again after the season ended.

     

     

    Location

     

    Location

     

    Location CSC

  27. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    Bee you to full morning in G72

     

     

    Might take a quick trip to the Celtic way as I will look glorious in the sunshine

     

     

    Then a wee drive down to Ayr for a wellingtons fish supper on the beach

  28. Dallas Dallas. Yes I was in the Glasgow Uni CSC. Joined in 1980 and left it in 1987. Was the treasurer 85 to 87. Went on many a trip with them , Lisbon , Manchester , Ghent etc. was a good club and beer bar a good place for a beer

  29. !!Bada Bing!! on

    gold coast tom- proves you are incapable of holding a discussion.Cue the usual faux outrage.

  30. Haven’t seen John Lambie and Chico Charnley figure in the betting for the Manager’s chair at Paradise yet.

     

     

    Is the auld foul mouthed pigeon fancier still alive and kicking these days?

     

     

    Him and Chico conquering SPFL….know that would be even funnier than Brent and Partridge.

  31. tommytwiststommyturns on

    BSR – was hoping to move to the ole South Stand after 18 years in the Upper North. It was either change or give up season card and pick n choose games. Think they are open until 5pm, so I’ll probably head back to the ground later.

     

     

    HH

     

    TTTT